Short-term impacts of the filling transition across elevations in intermittent water supply systems

Intermittent Water Supply (IWS) is characterised as drinking water distribution systems that are supplied with water for less than 24 hours/day on average. The filling transition from non-supply to pressurised supply is a period of hydraulic instability that negatively impacts water quality, deteriorates infrastructure integrity and intensifies social inequalities. Understanding the factors contributing to the severity of impact from filling is vital to develop effective management strategies. This paper investigates the hydraulic phenomena induced during the short-term IWS filling period and how this behaviour can be exacerbated by elevation and other hydraulic system factors, such as velocity and pressure. Controlled laboratory experiments conducted in the UK and field studies performed in operational networks across South Africa are presented. Results demonstrate the crucial role elevation plays in the network response during the filling transition, emphasising the need for greater consideration of elevation in IWS and well-maintained air relief valves in strategic locations

Bullying behaviors and victimization experiences among adolescent students: the role of resilience

The role of resilience in the relationship between bullying behaviours, victimisation experiences, and self-efficacy was examined. Three hundred and 93 (191 male, 202 female) adolescents (mean age = 15.88, SD = .64) from schools in Coimbatore, India completed scales to assess bullying behaviours and victimisation experiences, resilience, and self-efficacy. Multigroup SEM, with separate groups created according to participant sex, revealed that resilience mediated the relationship between bullying behaviours and self-efficacy in males. Males engaged in bullying behaviours and experienced victimisation more frequently than females. The findings of the study have implication for designing intervention programs to enhance resilience among adolescents and young adults to enable them to manage bullying behaviours

Development of a core descriptor set for Crohn's anal fistula

AIM: Crohn's anal fistula (CAF) is a complex condition, with no agreement on which patient characteristics should be routinely reported in studies. The aim of this study was to develop a core descriptor set of key patient characteristics for reporting in all CAF research. METHOD: Candidate descriptors were generated from published literature and stakeholder suggestions. Colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and specialist nurses in inflammatory bowel disease took part in three rounds of an international modified Delphi process using nine-point Likert scales to rank the importance of descriptors. Feedback was provided between rounds to allow refinement of the next ratings. Patterns in descriptor voting were assessed using principal component analysis (PCA). Resulting PCA groups were used to organize items in rounds two and three. Consensus descriptors were submitted to a patient panel for feedback. Items meeting predetermined thresholds were included in the final set and ratified at the consensus meeting. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty three respondents from 22 countries completed round one, of whom 67.0% completed round three. Ninety seven descriptors were rated across three rounds in 11 PCA-based groups. Forty descriptors were shortlisted. The consensus meeting ratified a core descriptor set of 37 descriptors within six domains: fistula anatomy, current disease activity and phenotype, risk factors, medical interventions for CAF, surgical interventions for CAF, and patient symptoms and impact on quality of life. CONCLUSION: The core descriptor set proposed for all future CAF research reflects characteristics important to gastroenterologists and surgeons. This might aid transparent reporting in future studies